Well prepared Mexican food in the East Village
Jul 11 '01
The Bottom Line For the kind of Mexican food you'd have in Mexico when you're in or near the East Village, Palapa on St. Marks place is a happy choice.
We happened across this restaurant on St. Marks Place en route to an Indian restaurant in this neighborhood overflowing with fairly priced, ethnic food and were attracted by the diners in the open air at the front of the restaurant sipping on margaritas and happily eating elaborte dishes. "How is it?" I asked and got a thumbs up, so we headed in and asked for a table in the rear garden, which was quiet and small with metal tables, families, young singles and other neighborhood types in shorts and casual attire.
Ceviche was our appetizer and we were pleased by the generous and nicely done shrimp ceviche that came with a variety of corn chips. On the table were three sauces, very different from one another, that were a terrific accompaniment. The margaritas were large but not terribly tasty. To be fare, if we'd gone for the more expensive ones ($9), perhaps they might have been more flavorful. The ceviche was around $7. Other appetizers were tacos and a variety of more typical Mexican plates. But it's the main courses that are distinguished -- the duck with mole, pork with Oaxacan sauce, shrimp with barbequed sauce, lamb with a highly seasoned sauce. I had the flank steak with rice ($19), which was delicious and large. Everyone around us seemed pleased with the food. We were full so didn't explore desserts, but this was far more interesting and ambitious (and successfully so) than most Mexican restaurants we've been to in New York.
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Epinions.com ID:
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Reviews written: 401
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